He has created a historical debt. He has implemented and tries to implement government control in a free country. He is a contradiction of a free countries leader. He has not done 1 thing to better the country.

OK. So you had your reservations - fair enough.One thing that I really hope Obama does though, is to provide FREE Health Care, as we have in the UK. I think it would make a world of difference to Americans.

lol There is no such thing as "free" health care. Someone has to pay. The government has failed at running everything else, why would they succeed at running health care? Another question, who is paying for this "free" health care? It's not the unemployed. I don't expect anyone to pay my medical bills, no one else should expect me to pay theirs.

Yes somebody does have to pay, you have to pay. But you will be paying half of the amount that you do now. Currently you pay 16% of your gdp for healthcare, the UK pays 8%. But thats all I will say, this has been talked about so much now that I refuse to let myself get dragged back in!

Well I am speaking as somebody that has no business in your internal affairs, I am from the UK. But remember that you will retain the option to pay for private healthcare should you feel that your free healthcare is not sufficient. The price of your private healthcare will be driven down significantly, as demand moves away to the 'free' alternative.

My family has private health insurance in the UK, they have had it since before I was born. The 'free' healthcare service has saved my life and my grandfathers life, they have never ever had to use the private alternative (except for dentist work, our 'free' dental service is not so good).

They pay the equivalent of about $50 per month for their private healthcare, ok so they have never used it, but I suspect that you can quadruple that to get to the amount that an everyday American pays for their insurance?

I have no business debating on your domestic policies (I did get dragged in, but that was only to defend against lies about the British system) so each to their own, but I hope that you can perhaps see another perspective there.

Your private healthcare system and free healthcare system could quite possibly run alongside each other in perfect harmony, at no additional cost to your country (maybe even cheaper).

Sorry about that HUH up there, I was quite taken aback by this idea of rationed free health care. We pay for our health care through taxes. Other medical services like dentistry, optometry, chiro etc, are out of pocket for us, or hopefully covered by whoever you are working for (a percentage is commonly paid for those services). Our govt doesnt decide who lives or dies, that is ridiculous. Where do people get these ideas?

Try reading "The Principles of Allocation" by Zeke Emmanuel (Rahm's brother) and two others. It describes how to determine the value of a human life and based on that determination, whether or not that person should receive healthcare.

Ridiculous? It is ridiculous that the government could decide our life or death decision. Ridiculous that the government will not sign up for the healthcare they propose to lead the way.

-Lets say we are on the government health care. An old patient needs an expensive surgery to keep them alive. The plan is to save money with the new healthcare. Do you think the government is going to spend money to save a dying cause?

lol So you agree with government control? I thought you were an individual. I find your first statement funny also. I was unemployed and walked into an emergency room to have an immediate appendix operation. I was not denied medical care because I was unemployed. If your statement is true, why did they operate on me? We didn't have government healthcare then.

-You are missing the point. The government does not want a private and public option. Obama has said before that he wants a single payer system. You want to say he didn't say that? lol

In a perfect world with unlimited resources and doctors and nurses, there would be no need to triage anyone and everyone would receive the care they need immediately. however, our system works with what it has and unfortunately triage is part of that, even when it comes to deciding who will get surgery first. a baby will receive surgery before an elderly if the spaces are limited...but do you really have a problem with that? listen, I am not saying that the Canadian system is the best, it for sure has its glitches and problems, but i dont rememeber anyone ever saying that in the first place. but we wouldnt change it for anything. yes we wait for certain procedures that are non life-threatening, but most will take that as a sacrifice for those who need more urgent care. it is certainly frustrating and you will hear complaints about it, but ask that person in the end if they would trade their health care for yours... i doubt it.

of course some people from canada will go to the states for medical care IF they can afford it. they dont want to wait, so let them go. The fact is no one is stopping them. they can do what they want. you will find a lot of people who complain about their care because nothing is perfect, but the point is at least they are GETTING care and not going into debt to get it. and just so you know, people do move to canada to have health care, where do you get your information from? some people try to find husbands or wives here so they can move here and be instantly covered medically. havent you ever watched 20/20?

no, no, no! I'm talking about the lady somewhere in the states who has cancer and can't afford her chemo treatment. And many other stories like it. I'm not an idiot, I know there are many immigrants coming in, but unlike what Marinealways24 was saying, it doesn't just go one way, so why say that? Getting things right are important because if you get it wrong, you are misleading people. I hate that. You have to know both sides of the story before you start throwing stuff out there.

Where did I say that people only come here for healthcare and not leave? I thought I wrote that with a question mark behind it. Do questions equal assumptions to you? Do you think more people leave or come in the US for our healthcare?

If you paid half of the amount of money for yours, then you have money left over to help the unemployed. Remember that most unemployed people are not unemployed through choice, and that you could become unemployed yourself.

I agree that our healthcare needs corrections. Not through government control. I have been unemployed a few times. I kept my head up, educated myself and learned not to repeat my mistakes. People who rely on the government for help will become dependent. I prefer to depend on myself.

But that is your implication ryankett, and that is the whole problem with nationalized healthcare. The govt ends up deciding how much you pay and what you get and when. None of this is about healthcare but about govt control. I don't want the govt in my life - at least not to that extent.

And I could not care less what America decides, I am only expressing my personal opinions about a healthcare system which currently exists in my country.

What you perhaps fail to grasp is that America currently spends 16% of its GDP on healthcare, whilst the UK spends 8% of its GDP on healthcare.

Thus the only way that you will create 'leftover' money is by introducing a more cost effective system, one which would also see private healthcare costs fall. So contrary to suggesting that you withdraw money from your bank account and give it to unemployed people, which is the way that you seem to have percieved my comment, I was in fact referring to the extra money that the wealthy would have.

The unemployed see very little of that GDP, so saving 8% of your nations entire GDP is in fact going to make the 'employed' richer, whilst at the same time giving the unemployed a better quality of life. It will also cut costs for corporations, enabling them to employ more of your (masses of) unemployed people. This also makes the wealthy richer and the unemployed richer. As things stand the only people benefiting from your system are the Pharmacutical companies, the private Doctors, and the Insurance companies -everybody else loses.

Again, it is not the govts place to decide where someone else's money should go whether they are wealthy or not. Someone must pay for healthcare. And yes, that's exactly where it would come from, my, and everyone else's bank account.

You have your opinion, I respect that. You are are not prepared to respect mine - so this debate ends.

I still feel that you are very misguided, do you understand the principles of GDP? The British public spends 8% of all of its money on healthcare, yet everybody in Britain gets healthcare, this figure includes those that opt to still use private healthcare. The American public on the other hand spend 16% of all of its money on healthcare, yet 42 million of them don't get this healthcare.

This means that I am getting my healthcare cheaper than you. You are being ripped off at the present, and you cant see that Obama would be saving you money.

I guess this can only go on it circles, and it is getting pretty late here... as I'm sure Lady E can testify.

Yes, we need reform, but not the bill that's now on the table. And no, it's not well-stated. Many Brits are not getting the care they need if they are 1- too old or 2- have a condition the govt deems not "cost-effective" enough. So the US spends more - so what. It is much better to spend more and actually help people than to implement laws that send some to their death.

And don't even bother with the "that's not true" talking point. Do your homework. Then we'll talk.

Have you read HR 3200? I am only like 100 pages in, and it needs to be a little more clear on exactly who the "eligible" people will be, but other than that, it is pretty benign. But again, I am only like one tenth of the way in.

Yes, I've read a good portion of it - it's slow going and not always clear. But it does talk about rationed care, as in you may be "too old" to have certain procedures. It is not the govts place to decide that, in my opinion.

My mother is 60 and her insurance company decided that she didn't need her thyroid surgery. They said she could just live with it. My husband is 37 and the insurance company decided he doesn't need Celebrex for his Ankylosing Spondylitis. They say he can just take ibuprofen.

I'm sorry to hear that about your family members. I agree that we need reform, but this bill is death to our personal freedom and personal sovereignty. Someone else posted something about why does it have to be either/or. Well it doesn't. We need reform but not this. Have you noticed that the insurance companies are mysteriously silent on this subject? I find that very interesting - not sure what it means yet.

Yes, and not being able to pay one's bills is a great incentive to get your butt out there and find another job. It can be done even in hard times. I did it and many people I know did it. We didn't just plop ourselves down on the mommy state and go waaaaaaa.

No need for name calling. I don't agree with Obama's "redistribution" of wealth under any guise or name. His healthcare bill has so many aspects other than the GNP concepts you outline. I believe it is important to look at the whole picture.

The liberals/progressives/democrats are only too happy to vote themselves other people's money.

What we need is everyone kicking in a little, just for the privilege of living in the US. Not a back-breaking amount, just enough to make people understand that nothing is free. Like a doctor's visit co-pay.

Madame X I like you a lot, I usually find your points dead on, accurate, or valuable. But you just did a kindergarten basic; "Well he did... " hissy fit response to my response. As a fan of yours, I except better from you. Your a smart person behind that computer screen, we all know that. So do what you will with this criticism, but seriously you can do better than that. Now sparky the white poodle rat, it's predictable. But you..., I know you can do better than that bullcrap you just pulled.

Nightie night night, sleep tight and get that rest you desperately need yourself.

I find it amazing how people standards seem to go dangerously low, when emotionally debating a hot spot topic. Why is that? Laziness, that's why. Too much energy being spent on the wrong thing- negative, foul, disapproval.

Thanks for all the compliments RK, but my dad's dead - and I don't need another.

I responded to ryankett the way I did because of instead of responding to me with adult emotion he chose to call me uneducated and ignorant, used condescension, and did so because I did not 'agree' with him. I was making points in response to his comments that dealt with the underlying concepts he presented rather than the "talking points" he wished to "confuse" me with. When he decides to deal with the actual issues behind this debate, I will treat him accordingly.

The stimulus was Obamas idea. Where is the stimulus at now? You didn't name 1 thing Obama has done right. You obviously understand politics how you can shoot around a question without answering. All you have to reply with is "It's Bush's Fault".

lol All of the sane minds see who the uneducated one is. You are the one with blinders on. In your ignorance, you take up for a president who wishes to control a free country. If a country is controlled by the government, it's not free.

Dude, your clueless. Blinders on? Ignorance? Trash talking smack. That's all that is. CONGRESS, THE PAST 8 YEARS, BUSH, BUSH, ClINTON, all the way back to TEDDY, DEREGULATION, OBAMA- yeah, they all created this mess. Your the one with blinders. I'll keep the trash, smack, name calling up to you.

And I'm ignorant........, dude you don't even have a clue. Come on, I'm waiting for some more name calling. Go ahead, call me a dumb nigger- if your gonna call me anything, call me what you really want. Ignorant, yeah I got your ignorant. Your trash talkin, smack rapping, name calling is bullshit dude. Ignorant. And what flavor might you be? Smart. Oh I see, the one alway spouting hate is the smart one, oh my bad. Don't mind me, I'm ignorant like you said. Right, you just forgot the rest of it........, foolish move.

Yeah, this from the one who said, OBAMA CAUSED A HISTORICAL DEBT. Dude, come on your forgot to say it. Ignorant what?? Come on, I see how you are. Now that I'm not totally 100% Republican, I'm ignorant. Now that YOU made a stupid error in making that statement, I'm ignorant. Come on brother, out with it, ignorant what? Typical wanna be Marine soldier.... I see how you are. Ignorant what? You ain't no marine, you ain't got the HEART and SOUL of a true American Marine. No way, no heart. You ain't got it. Cowardly, but I see it now, just look at you, look at all your posts, look at everyone of YOUR posts, hate. You ain't no Marine, you ain't got heart. And you know what I'm talking about. Coward, yeah I see how it is.

lol one more thought. If this was to get an emotional response out of me, you failed. You fail in having enough intelligence to get a sigh out of me, much less an emotional response. Maybe you should analyze yourself instead of analyzing everyone else.

RKHenry, you are a wise man, I think that we should pity these people - pity is all that you can do. Sometimes they will wake up before they get old, sometimes they will die ignorant. This kind of argument will only corrode your soul, I am going to walk away from this with my head held high - and you should walk away with this with your head held high too.

I am a man that likes a quote, and the one that makes me think most about Americas situation is this one:-

“Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold...” - Bob Marley

Just never lose your soul and never lose your wisdom, because you have them both.

Let me help you with your ignorance. The credit crisis was caused by *over* regulation, not deregulation. Lenders were obligated by Democratic members of Congress to lend to people who otherwise did not qualify for a mortgage. It was in all the papers.

Anecdotal evidence: In 2008, Hilary Clinton campaigned at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. She brought up on stage a woman who was in forclosure. Clinton portrayed her as a victim. The next day the facts came out; the poor lady borrowed money to purchase a 50K house on a 12K income and never even made one payment. No bank in it's right mind wold approve that loan unless they were under pressure from well-meaning social engineers to make the "American Dream" available to anyone with a pulse.

It is so easy to accuse the man of placing the country in Depts. But you should know that the last president also initiated economy stimulus and tax rebate. And it should be clear that pre-existing dept is responsible. And again, in the area of foreign policy, america is now in a positive position. Russia, North korea, Cuba and venezuela are no longer antagostists. Except for Iran where for the first time in many years was disunited because of the peace tactic adopted by Obama. What the last president could not do for eight years was done with the weapon of peace within few years in Office. Then iraq............

I was really worried about Cuba. Venezuela is run by a loony who needs us to buy his oil. North Korea is still developing nuklar weapons and testing offensive missiles even with Obama in office. Russia got along with Bush.

Peace that has lasted about 6 months? Get back to us in 4 years. I'll give him his props.

Jesus you Obamabots are a broken record! Newsflash, Bush was a small part of the economic problem, get over him he is nolonger in Office. The rest of the crooks who helped ina much larger way are there now, what will you do with them? I know, you will reelect them to steal more!

I am just being objective. We can't ignore that the country was in pretty bad shape. I am not saying that it is going to be cleaned up overnight. I am not willing to ignore that we had pretty bad leadership for the past eight years. I don't personally consider myself a democrat, or Obamabot. But I appreciate you resorting to name calling. It is very mature.

LOL I know you are not, but this remark really looked like the one. Not to support name calling, especially towards you, but this uninitiated Texan could have easily mistaken you for one - based on just one comment. Take a look at it tomorrow, and you will see.

Objective? Is that what you call what you are being? I disagree about having bad leadership I think we have bad leadership now! We had a President who didn't bow before others or take C#@P from dictators! Now we have the poster child for "Can't we all just get along!" I don't want to get along with Countries who want to see me dead, maybe thats a flaw in my personality? And if you think Obamabot is name calling you better get outside sometime, the world is a nasty place!

This is what liberal socialist always do, blaming Bush and cover up socialistic fungus. Soviets always blamed America for their failures. I believe that Obama should give one million of each family who died in Iraq or elsewhere. They should not pay taxes any more for life. But he bailed our failing companies and paid CEO's huge money.

Blaming Bush has nothing to do with liberals or socialism, its the fact that Bush was a horrible president. He is the reason we are dealing with a mess in Iraq and he is the reason our deficit is so high. Obama has only tried to allow us to recover from this. What was the Republican response? Do nothing, the system will regulate itself.

You know what? Hate is moral disease. You listen too much liberal media. Any president's duty is only two: Protect our constitution and protect our country. It is not we should demand to run the country. Only socialist do this. Bush did two main wrong: 1. He did not reverse abortion, 2 He supported split Israel for false peace. See "Palestinians" never see the peace. They know only control and fight. Obama I think illegally printed money and it is not the solution. Illegally I mean any printed money without cover with the gold is only cheap paper. It destroys values. I was suspicious on the beginning when democrats voted for war in Iraq. I smelled crucifixion. Saddam Hussein's general Georgesaada confirmed WMD. But they did not aloud him to speak publicly here and UK.

You have no basis for your assertion of relative intelligence. They both went to Ivy league schools and they both have graduate degrees. Obama has refused to release any of his transcripts, while the other guy did.

Going back to the original question, yes Obama has done many things right. As an outsider who hasnt really been paying attention, I have noticed this:-

1) He sent Bill Clinton to North Korea to negotiate the release of hostages. As opposed to America having another cold war, this time with North Korea.

2) He has allowed Cuban people into America to visit their families, and has lifted certain unfair trade embargos on Cuba.

3) He taxed the bonuses of fat cats at 90% until they pay back their bail outs, something which Gordon Brown should have done in the UK. They were bailed out with public money, you should be grateful for this. The banks are paying back the US quicker than our banks are paying back the UK as a direct result.

LOL, I dont think that you could get cosy with North Korea if you tried, Im not sure that any country could. In global politics they are the kid that sat in the corner of the classroom and never talked; later to be found threatening to shoot up the school.

Obama's greatest achievement to date is improving the world's opinion of America.Few Americans have an understanding of the damage their reputation took under Mr Bush.He has inherited a country struggling on many fronts and his critics ask why he hasn't fixed the Global financial crisis yet.This mess took years to make and will take just as long to fix.

Your President forms the basis of the worlds opinion of the 'average American'. Regardless of what you think on his policies, you are now showing the world an elloquent, intelligent man who can think on his feet and genuinely interact with everyday people. Who with a straight face could say that about Mr Bush.

I have no comment on the specifics of his decisions as I do not feel my knowledge warrants it. Even committed Republicans should be happy about the improved image America has throughout the world. You were the laughing stock there for a while.

Care to elaborate? Im not so sure that most people care as much about your health policies, as opposed to your international relations. Bush bullied the world for long enough, most people would much rather see you fighting internally than intimidating externally.

I am still waiting on an answer about how much the US spends creating in the medical field I also wonder if Britain's population has anything to do with the lower GDP, it seems the US has about 256 million more people and more coming everyday! I haven't heard of anyone leaving the US to go to Britain!

I think I would rather have the 37th best Medical care and live free as opposed to 18th and have to use a passport to go 300 miles! Good luck with your 2nd language skill, if you aren't fluent ina couple of years (WTF) you can always come to Texas and I will teach you all you will ever need to know about communication!

Is that what a passport is for? wow you learn somthing new everyday. If I drive 300 miles in any direction from where I am now I would still have another 400 to go to get to another State! I can visit 49 other states without a passport, you see I wouldn't visit Britain there is nothing of importance there! EVERYBODY comes to the US its gotta suck being you! Bye!

That's because it's the same country. I can drive 300 miles here too and still not need a passport. Actually, I can drive farther than you without a passport I don't see what the point is. You are denying yourself when you don't want to see another country.

Well if you dont need photo ID to board a plane, then I suggest that your aiviation security could possibly lack too? Suprising considering the circumstances (its also nearer 400 miles to get France from here, but my cousin can see France from his window on a clear day!)

I would happily come to Texas, but you would have to find me a fine America woman to marry - as otherwise I am only allowed a 3 months travel visa! Of course, you could alway teach me "how to communicate" via skype in this day and age.

I dont care, this country was destroyed in the Thatcher-Reagen days. The only good thing left in this country is the national health service.

I have an EU passport. Yes, thats right, I can live anywhere in the EU freely. The ship is sinking and I will jump it to join the 100,000 British people that permanently emigrate to Europe every year. In fact I just joined a course in Spanish and hope to be fluent within the next few years.

I would be moving to a country with the 7th best healthcare system in the world, from a country with the 18th. Around the same level of jump as a US citizen moving from a country with the 37th best healthcare system in the world moving to the UK.

If you really want an answer to your question, they move for the weather.

Im sure it would make a handy coaster, but I tend to use it as a means of travel. Turkey, Canada and the USA have all liked my coaster enough to allow me to visit them in the past 18 months, they were also kind enough to give me a little stamp and sign it.

Im not going to comment on the other thing, I am not making this an Anti-American tirade. It is probably more of an anti-Bush tirade. And since our government was in bed with Bush for 8 years, I hate them too.

Well then you should Uninvited Writer! I guess that it would make travelling to some European countries a lot easier for you (the UK is of course already easy enough for Americans and Canadians to visit!).

It will only cost you about $150 I think to get your passport as a new applicant, and that will last for 10 years, so $15 a year isnt so bad!

Sorry to disappoint all you non Americans but Obama has sealed his fate with his Socialist leanings, we are free in this Country, we can buy firearms and carry them around when we want. Thats what made this Country great our freedom! About that 16% GDP being spent on health care I wonder how much is spent on Medicaid and Medicare, or creating new medical procedures that we later supply to other countries because they cannot do the development themselves!

I don't like to make generalizations, but I will say it's part ignorance for any US citizen to support Obama. Obama clearly has his agenda for government control. The country was built on the free market, not government control.

lol They obviously aren't getting better with Obama wanting to control everything. What happens when you intervene the free market? It's no longer free. There can be regulation without the government owning stock.

what has president obama done?well let's see didn't he get a arms reduction deal with russia?I think so.oh let's see what else?isn't the recession over?hmmm?I think we are in recovery phase along with japan.hmmmm,let's see what else,trying his bestest to get health care reform through,but what's holding it up?hmmmmm.Lies propaganda,fear tactics,more lies,ummm,what are the republicans doing?hmmmm.oh they are getting ready for the 2012 elections,not even offering any ideas help what so ever,Hmmmmmmm,fear mongers fear mongers,what can we spread today?how many lies can we get out this week?hmmmm.how about this one Obama is not a citizen?hmmmmmmmm.already tried that one,hmmmmmmmm whatelse can we come up with that will cause public uproar hmmmmmm any ideas sarah palin?DEATH PANEL.BRILLIANT,that will get their brithches in a bunch,that'll light a fire underneath them,never mind the fact that it is NOT TRUE!!!damn fools.

After visiting this forum, I really wish I had a valium. I don't understand why anyone would even ask a question for the sole purpose of questioning the intellegence of those who reply. I find forums like these to be disheartening and disrespectful. Is there any reason to ask a question and then try to downgrade a person if they don't agree with you? I tried to take this thread seriously, but it is just a trap.

Some people need their "intelligence" questioned. When someone presents an opinion that is full of fallacy because they haven't done their homework, they appear, and are, of questionable intelligence. I don't see any problem in pointing that out. Unless, of course, we're all going to drop to the level of these communist-style classrooms where no one's allowed to actually win a debate because it might "hurt someone's feelings".

madame X I have noticed that it is you and marine always that are attacking and demeaning people when they respond,my intelligence level is 126 that's my I.Q. now how do you ecpect a new incoming president to fix all the ills if America in only a few months?after the last eight years of complete lack of leadership and complete incompetence of the last adminstration,after N.A.F.T.A,was signed in to law by clinton and the republican congress,N.A.F.T.A. is one of the main reasons our economy is shakey,globalisation is one of the main reasons our nation is having a hard time.they say united we stand and divided we fall,seems to me we are pretty well divided,now don't you think that is a shame?republicans playing games and causing public unrest only for the sake of winning a election that is a couple of years off?we stand in the worst economic climate since the great depression,at least the democrats are proactive instead of reactive,so quick to attack and twist the truth into something that will satisfy your ego,when you forget that bush stole the election,don't you think that is un-american?Let's not forget about the fact that bush lied to get the war in IRAQ started,destabilized the region and made Iran even stronger,sat on his ass while North korea was slanging missiles over Japan,ignored the warnings coming from his own intelligence that a attack on america was imminent(911)do you remember that?what else? oh yeah revealed the Idenity of a C.I.A. spy because she told him that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction,and they was not even capable of producing weapons of mass destruction,all because he wanted to go to war with Iraq killing the snake while letting the devil get away.where's bin laden?americans have died fighting in a war for his ego.meanwhile bin ladens regrouped in afghanistan and gotten stronger.what is on you mind?are you just arguing just to be arguing?do you have any real valid points to address?do you even know whats going on?

lol I don't mean to be disrespectful but, are you serious? You state your IQ number. You make accusations of me attacking people with no backing. You didn't list one thing Obama has done right. All you listed is what Bush did wrong. What was the IQ again? I have ADD.

Sorry Davina not laughing at you,but you said exactly what I was thinking...

Man oh man , if this is how we are in a forum , what hope is there for major world leaders...

I like President Obama ,I feel hopeful he's leading and endeavouring to inform ,make decisions and has the backbone to make changes...I am happy the American people voted him in, and he deserves the respect of any new President of the nation who voted him in.

If you didnt vote ,or didnt vote for him , then shame on you for displaying poor sportsmanship...

Why on earth should I "get over it". The man's a communist nightmare and his goal is to destroy America. And yes, I'm going to rant, rave and scream about his lies and political manipulations until he's just listed as the huge mistake in American history that he is.

Why not let go of what is happening the in world of politics, forget the bickering and the arguments, the things that aren't really affecting you, and continue to live that life "peacefully an quietly".

Life is too short for hatred, paranoia and worry. Take up painting, do that writing that you said that you would do, if you have grandchildren then take them to the park.

Die with a smile on your face, dont die with a frown and a bitterness. I am sure that you will see another Republican president, dont worry yourself about it too much.

There is a whole world of adventure out there. Turn off the television set and hop on a plane to somewhere oblivious to the troubles of America.

Have you ever heard the word "dharma"? It means to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Of course, figuring out what that is in any given moment is not always so easy, but that's the spiritual practice of it.

I will fight for my freedom's as long as I have breath, otherwise I might as well be dead. And sometimes that includes getting into heated debates.

Apologies, no offence was intended with the use of the word 'Man', this was an unintentional error.

I admire your willingness to fight for the things that you believe in, just as long as you forget about them sometimes and have a little fun.

Do you have children? If so they really are not going to need all of that inheritance Madame X, there will be enough to go around for you to spend some of it having that well deserved break.

If you dont have children, then you should spend your money on being happy - go and see the world. I can recommend Istanbul, thats a great place, Barcelona is also a very beautiful city (and it has very little CCTV).

By all means stand up for what you believe, but retirement is about enjoying everything that you have already achieved. You will have achieved a lot in your lifetime, be proud of that fact and enjoy the rewards.

Indeed Uninvited Writer. All of these staunch Republicans (anonymous Republicans I hastily add) are quick to defend their 'freedom', yet don't seem to appreciate the freedom to diplomatically elect their government. Irony? I believe so.

Just one question mark would have been sufficient tksensei, I am literate.

Republicans are drivelling on about the 'free market' and taking away 'freedoms'. 'Free' and 'Freedom' seems to be the buzzwords.

Your country is 'free' to elect its government, it 'freely' did so, that government is now 'free' to implement its policies and comply with its ideals and manifesto.

In 4 years time the country is again 'free' to elect its government, who are in turn 'free' to implement its policies and comply with its ideals and manifesto.

The American people have democratically elected a government who will inevitably introduce some new ways of working and thinking.

Should the people of America decide to vote in a different government in 2012, then that party may decide to abolish those policies and return to the prior state.

The alternative is to have one political party, with no real right to vote against or for them, who will implement their ideals and manifestos for eternity/indefinetly.... for example, North Korea and Iran.

Obama is respected worldwide as the democratically elected president of the United States of America, the choice of your nation. Should your nation decide that they do not like Obama in four years time, then they can choose to vote him out. The next president will then be respected worlwide as the democratically elected president of the United States of America.

Why would you think we don't appreciate it? Obama was nothing more than the pendulum swinging away from Bush, and the "hate Bush" meme added in. America ain't so brittle, and 2010 is a lot closer than you think.

"I think I would rather have the 37th best Medical care and live free as opposed to 18th and have to use a passport to go 300 miles! Good luck with your 2nd language skill, if you aren't fluent ina couple of years (WTF) you can always come to Texas and I will teach you all you will ever need to know about communication!"

This is a rather poor argument. A Nations size is the primary predictor of its citizens freedom?

Lets all move to Russia. They can travel 1/3 of the way around the world without leaving home. Speak the same language the whole way.They must be really free over there.

No its not a predictor of its freedom, have you ever been to Europe? They have cameras watching everything they do that is not freedom. My comments on the size of the US is about his having to use a passport to go to a different country and my freedom to visit a much better place without one!

Cameras watching everything that we do? hahaha, oh dear its that paranoia again? I certianly dont have any cameras pointing towards my house.

Many cities use CCTV as a crime prevention and detection method if thats what you mean, it is pretty effective at fighting crime. Unless you wish to have sex in the middle of the central business district, or you want to rob a Jewellery store, then a surviellence camera (when they even bother to turn them on) isn't going to cause you many problems.

I was attacked once after a meal out, they identified the man on CCTV and had him in court within a week.... so no objections from me, there were no witnesses and I couldnt remember what he looked like - so this was effective.

But a CCTV camera pointing out into a crowd of 2000 people is hardly invading your privacy (unless you get paranoid about being found picking your nose?)

You keep your cameras I will just shoot the one who attacks me, somebody else will have to identify him! CCTV is not used to spy? Sure it is! Its not paranoia its knowing what a Government will do to "Protect you" I bet you have a problem with wiretapping terrorists to!

Well I am happy enough with the cameras dude, and I am certainly happy without a gun, we are from two completely different cultures my American cousin. Similar in so many ways, but different in so many other ways. It will always be like that, and I am happy to embrace the things that I love about visiting America - whilst I also acknowledge that there are things that I would never accept into my own culture. I guess that national health care is one of those things for you, and guns is one of those things for me. I am sure that there will be many other political issues and debates on hubpages in the future that we can both agree on.

How is that for reasoned thought? I hope that you appreciate my best efforts at diplomacy and tolerance? Hopefully they can be recipiated.

Diplomacy and tolerance! Wasted efforts against an enemy! But I guess we are allies, the British get themselves in trouble and we naturally come to the rescue.We haven't done that in what 65 years? I guess thats why you speak English today, I don't hate you "Dude" but I wouldn't walk across the street to piss on you if you were on fire either!

Dont forget the hundreds of British lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of US operations, and in one case on the basis of incorrect intelligence, despite an almost complete lack of public support and at the cost of about $1 trillion.

What a completely disrespectful comment. The USA only became involved the first time around after they were attacked directly, do you know how many lives the British lost in WWI and WWII as a result of its defence against the evil Nazi regime? (which it was fighting for years before the Americans decided to help us out at all?) we lost more people in both of those wars than any other country in the world.

Get some dignity, seriously.... where is your respect for the dead? America obviously did not feel a threat from the Nazi's, which is easy when they are not less than 30 miles from your coastline.

What are you babbling about? Does it matter when we entered the conflict? The only reason that you are not speaking German today is because of the United States! Your Chancellor screwed you not the Americans, we saved you! And as someone who has fought in war I think the British are some of the greatest warriors in the world, but the US does not need a single one to overcome any enemy! Get a clue

The 13,000,000 allied casualties of World War I and the 52,000,000 allied casualties of World War II saved the world, not the USA. Thats 65,000,000 people from dozens of countries who lost their lives for the people of today to enjoy the liberty and freedom that we take for granted.

The only country in the world with many people that would frequently like to distinguish themselves as the country that saved the world is the USA. The rest of the world would never consider singling out any of those 65 million people as more heroic than others.

They all deserve more respect than to have their efforts written off as failed. Each of those lives were lost to give us the lives that we enjoy today, and I salute each and every one of them. If you really believe that you can single out the 500,000 Americans as heroes, then I pity you. Every human life is equal.

Your Continent let a mad man run all over it and he would have been drinking tea in Buckingham Palace had it not been for the United States! I am not discounting lives lost in my Statements you are in your irrational comments! The French,British,Polish and others laid down for this maniac and begged the US to come into the war, I have no idea and do not care why FDR did not engage but he didn't until we were attacked by Japan! Once we entered that fight and invaded Europe the war was over within a year, what would have happened had we not? Yes Americans were the heroes! And you should kiss our feet for ever more!

The British did not 'lay down', we lost an entire generation of men of fighting age. 5 years of fighting killed almost an entire generation of British people who were defending themselves against an evil regime. We used every resource we could lay our hands on to fight, saucepans, fences, everything made of metal was turned into planes.

After 4 years of fighting a war whilst the Americans sat there unwilling to stretch a muscle, we had nothing else to throw at it. The Germans had become weaker too. Your right, we had no choice but to 'beg' you to become involved, and your resources were the final nail in the coffins of the Germans. We probably couldnt have gone on much longer, and we probably would be speaking German, but after 1.3 million military deaths.... our dead great grandparents and our orphaned grandparents deserve more than to be labelled as having 'laid down' by some arrogant American who thinks that his country is above anything and everything.

Contrary to being heroes (as a country), the fact that we had to 'beg' you to join the very very long running war against a crazy facist, doesnt do much to constitute being heroes (as a country), you should have turned up 4 years earlier. I dont think that Europe would have sat and watched for 4 years should it had been the South Americans wiping out an entire generation of North Americans.

Sorry we didn't turn up sooner to fix YOUR problems. Maybe if you hadn't wallowed in appeasement for years we wouldn't have had to turn up at all. If we had rolled up in Europe years before would we have been "imperialist bullies" and all the other whiny rhetoric Europeans like to throw around about the US lately? Hmmm?

Dont forget the hundreds of British lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of US operations, and in one case on the basis of incorrect intelligence, despite an almost complete lack of public support and at the cost of about $1 trillion.

What a completely disrespectful comment. The USA only became involved the first time around after they were attacked directly, do you know how many lives the British lost in WWI and WWII as a result of its defence against the evil Nazi regime? (which it was fighting for years before the Americans decided to help us out at all?) we lost more people in both of those wars than any other country in the world.

Get some dignity, seriously.... where is your respect for the dead? America obviously did not feel a threat from the Nazi's, which is easy when they are not less than 30 miles from your coastline.

Your country likes to paint a picture of itself as a hero, why not do some real research about the chain of events in WWII? Sure, you can make films (Saving Private Ryan) which make yourself look like heros, but the British had already lost hundreds of thousands of men on the beaches of Dunkirk before you had even turned up.

We lost 1.3 million people in those wars, defending our country (originally defending other countries in Europe), and that is the kind of respect that our dead get? Every British person in this country could not count the number of dead relatives on two hands.

Do you see me making incredibly unsensitive remarks about 9/11 or Vietnam? Have some fucking respect.

And I wouldnt want your piss on me if I was on fire, I wouldn't want inadvertanly adopt any of your simple mindedness.

Ryan... These message boards are hardly representative of the 'American People.' There's another thread here about alter egos and trolling...we are experiencing a lot of that at hubpages these days, from the so-called 'right.' I'd also say in defense of the true conservatives, that these on hubpages are hardly representative, at least of those conservatives I knew from the midwestern and eastern parts of the U.S. In AZ, things are a little different...but that is besides the point.

It's just a lot of stirring the pot. I understand how you get frustrated, believe me. Your comments are genuine and you always seem to make a valid contribution. Some here do see that. Just thought I'd say it.

Thanks Lita, I just need to try and stop myself being dragged into these pointless debates. Its my own fault, I can see where they are going to head before I even start....

For the record, I would be well served to remember my many trips to America... the vast vast majority of Americans that I meet are absolutely fantastic people. So you dont need to tell me that, I just need to keep telling myself that.

Yes i have been to Europe - lived there for 9 years actually. And yes i have been to the US, and 70 other countries around the world and to all continents except Antarctica. Do I think America is the best country. No. Do I think any country is the best country. No. What i can appreciate is the cultural diversity each country offers and am more able to take an objective view on their strengths and weaknesses.

Being patriotic does not mean that every other nationality has to be inferior to you.

Americans tend to be oblivious to the way the rest of the world sees their country. The 'Superpower' is like any other country - far from perfect. People tend to be more forgiving of your less favorable characteristics if you don't spend the whole time telling them how great you are.

We're not 37th anyway. Everyone quotes that ranking but no one can even begin to explain the underlying data. We've tried to get clarification from several people who post on this forum, but they insist that "They are the source" and we should just accept the ranks as gospel.

Here's the spreadsheet behind the ranking:http://www.photius.com/rankings/world_health_systems.html

The data appears to be somehow goal-related and the ranks appear to be driven by how those goals are met. Or not. The column headings don't mean anything. The rightmost column appears to be where the "37th" comes from but how it's calculated is a mystery. Anyone who uses the ranking to make their point should be able to explain how it's calculated.

He's right about both parties having blame in this mess, but the Dems obligated Fanny to make bad loans *and* to agree to buy up toxic assets from other banks that made the same loans. Chris Dodd and Barney Frank are at the heart of the problem, in my opinion.

I agree that both parties suck. I'm only saying that Obama is making things worse instead of better. He says he has solutions with no plans. He has goals of "his" agenda, not a "free countries" agenda.

You got a few things, right, Ryan. One is (and I thought this before, due to diction) Madame is a man. lol. And I believe there are different platform versions (graphic design term) of her out there in hubpages land, too.

What's real weird is that most graphic designers I know (and I am one, too) are liberals...especially Apple computer adherents. Just look at their advertising!

You know what, I had such an overpowering sense that 'Madame X' was a man - I didn't even think whilst I was typing, it was sub conscious. But it would be unfair to suggest that I suppose, certainly ungentleman like!

I appreciate your gentlemanly attitude ryankett. Most people have trouble with the idea that women can think logically, and therefore present their arguments in a logical way. Hence, "must be a man". And that is rather chauvinistic thinking but I'm used to it.

The citizens of this country elected Obama as a direct reaction against 8 years of Bush policies. Given the choices offered -- Obama or McCain -- Americans chose Obama as the better NOT PERFECT choice.We can put Obama's first 6+ months in office into historical context. Compared to Obama, what, if anything memorable had Bush done during the same timeframe? Everything after that brief intro period -- and I do mean EVERYTHING -- was overshadowed by 9/11. Perhaps we should all hope for a giant national crisis to hit on Obama's watch!! That way we can rally our citizenry together against some foreign enemy and stop this ridiculous, petty partisan squabbling.

He pushed for funding of a big expansion of AmeriCorps and for the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act that was finally adopted on July 15th, and reversed the stem-cell policy, signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.

You must give Obama some credit for trying. In fact, it's been only a few months into his presidency. It will take time to turn some things around. On the other hand, he needs to be careful about running the country into the ground. Obama seems bent on establishing his "agenda" whether or not it is good for the country. What is this rush with fixing healthcare, regardless of the omens? Fact is, the system needs to be reformed, but it needs careful planning and execution to get that done. What about the naivety with which he views the world. We no longer fight a War on Terror, just an overseas contingency; we no longer fight terrorists, just enemy combatants; Iran and North Korea are good little countries that will follow our lead if we just talk to them and make some concessions. Personally, I wish the President well and pray for his success. Yet I have some concerns about his vision for the US.

The government would not decide if someone lives or dies, regardless of what Sarah Palin tries to cook up. Obama is not trying to create socialized healthcare or even a state-run insurance option, he is just trying to make it easier to get healthcare. Plus, if you don't want to change the insurance you have, you don't have to.

If you don't think Obama is doing anything, you are frankly just not reading.

BTW, I really cannot STAND Air America. Ever heard how liberals prefer the written word, due to the complexity factor? Well! It's true. I don't like any sort of thing that suggests hate-talk spoken word.

Sorry, MSNBC is a joke. So is Fox news. I read newspapers. If you just disagree with his policies just on sheer principle, ok, thats fine, but don't say he is not doing anything. No matter what healthcare system he apparently favors or doesn't favor, he is pushing a plan that does NOT socialize healthcare or offer a government-run insurance company.

lol You tell me i'm not reading because I haven't seen Obama do anything besides put us in more debt, yet you fail to list something Obama has done right. Would you like to answer that now? What has Obama done right?

Won approval of the second $350 billion *before* taking office.• VP Biden already made his first foreign trip *before* taking office.• Ordered the closing of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. • Ordered a pay freeze of his top staff. • Ordered stricter controls on lobbyists in government.• Ordered compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. • Confined interrogation techniques to those in the Army Field Manual • Ordered a review of auto emissions standards. • Met with GOP leaders of both Houses of Congress to improve the stimulus package.• Did an interview with Al Arabiya TV, improving our reputation in the Arab/Muslim world.• Called every leader in the Middle East. • Named George Mitchell special envoy to the Middle East. Mitchell is already on the scene.• Got most of his cabinet confirmed. • Made family planning advice more available to women in Africa.• Met with top business leaders, who endorsed his plan.• Geithner put limits on lobbying from bank who receive TARP money (something Paulson could have easily done.)• Signed equal pay legislation

350 billion we didn't have. Also acted illegally given that he was not the president at the time.Again, acting illegally without authorization from the White House.And can't get any US prison to take the guys. Evidently is was a good idea to put them there in the first place.

While at the same time spending 350 billion we don't have. The purely symbolic act penalized his best people and accomplished nothing.

Not all of them. Dig a little deeper.

Bush ordered them not to?

Putting the country in more danger.

As if they've not been reviewed before? Presidents order reviews all the time.

Rejected all input from those leaders and blamed them for not co-operating. Admittedly the GOP leadership is weak and ineffecitve. John Boehner cries too much.

Still not sure why we should care about that.

No president ever called a Middle East leader?

We've had them before. Former Marine Commandant and Supreme Allied Commander James Jones was appointed in 2007. Anthony Zinni held the position in 2002.

Duh. He has a democratic majority in Congress.

Bush increased similar funding by 15 billion during his tenure. The main difference is that Bush's plan stressed abstinence.

The CEO of Caterpillar told reporters that Obama's plan would have no effect, implying that Obama misquoted him during a presser.

Lobbying is free speech. Anyway, why would Geithner need to do this if Obama had already imposed new regulations on lobbying (see above)?

He did no such thing. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act simply extends the grace period under which an employee can sue for unfair pay practices. The legislation for equal pay was already in place, since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

I was afraid Bush lost the plot and put America more at risk for war that is why I celebrated when Obama won, the rest with the right congress ,and strong leadership ,at least trust (Internationally) and Nationally offers hope where it was waning.

I have somewhat different explanation. We do not need British to tell us what is good or not for us. The crisis was artefficially created. Crisis leads to take over of our private business. Additionally God was removed from the schools and public areas. It means growing materialism and loving money, which is root of evil. It hiking cost up. It make shortage ala carte socialism. Nobody see that it drive doctors out of business. I will tell you my story. We billed to Nursing home 9 patients to medicate. The charges for routine fallow up visits were total $1,400.00. We got two checks. There were 39 cents for two poststamps. We received 5 cents x 2. Total 10 cents. How do you like them apples? I know two companies CEO (one is medical insurance)who got last 2 years increase salary from 800.000 to 2.6 milion/year. Can one figure it out numbers? Well your some turkies, Bush made a lot of money but he has oil on his backyeard. All got upset about him due to propaganda. One should find how much money Obama has. But of course He is promised savior. I do not vote for lawyer, senator, or socialist to be my president. There will be troubles. Just watch. In Soviet Union there were few Doctors. Rest were felchiars. It means physician assistants. They are still treating people with leaches. There was and is that old people died they do not need treatment any more they are old. They do not need hip replacement or bypass surgery. This is what is going happen here. Nothing is good what government is running. Our founders work at home not arguing whole year about insignificant matters. They left morality to churches. I think I said enough.

I really think Obama is trying to do the right thing. First people love him, then they wan't to crucify him. There really is no winning when you are the president. Pretty much no matter what he does, people will be unhappy!

Quote- "…parents have every right to worry about their children being used as Political Guinea Pigs for Change".

I was a young political guinea pig way back in my childhood in USSR. All my friends were, mandatory. Thanks to my family and surroundings that were always in silent opposition, I didn't grow up brainwashed. But I also learnt to keep my mouth shut.

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Obama misread his mandate.]/b] Obama's 2008 victory was a personal one, says Bill Galston, an adviser to President Clinton. It wasn't a vote for a more expansive view of the role and reach of government. The stimulus,...